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June 13th, 2008
“Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” Oh, Fran, you are so right-on! And right now nothing is making us hungrier than this, our first-ever Portland Picks Dining Guide and Pub Crawl. And—bonus—these are all faboo ideas for Father’s Day! This is going to be a yearlong resource on our homepage, so you can check it out whenever you need ideas for eating, drinking and being merry. After all, “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” (At least according to George Bernard Shaw. Though we might add “and handbags” to enhance his message for our purposes.) ps: Before you dig in, forward this issue to 5 friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com, and you could win a set of adorable wine- or chocolate-themed magnets by Kate Grenier Designs! Too cute!Portland Picks’ Dining Guide/Pub Crawl: |
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Portland Picks: |
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Oh, Delta Café… how do we count the ways? Is it your 40-ounce Pabst bottles on ice? Your $5 specialty cocktails on Tuesdays? Is it your big eats and authentic Southern menu? (How we yearn for your Chicken-Fried Steak, your Oyster PoBoy, your Cauliflower Casserole, and Greens.) Maybe it’s the kooky coolness of your “Portlandy” décor. Or the Pecan Pie... Delta Café |
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| 2 |
We’re crying “more, more, more” for Sagittarius’ creamy and wonderful Rosemary Mac—it’s all comfort food here! Tie one on with a Rebel Girl, Ruby Soho or Tuaca Sidecar cocktail—all are house-created. The first day of summer (June 20) they’ll be serving up pitchers of margaritas, sangria and mojitos. Late-riser brunch is vegetarian-friendly, and Last Tuesday = trivia nights! Sagittarius |
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In a word, Wilf’s is fantastic. Enjoy live music (jazz to contemporary, Wednesday–Saturday) while dining in the rose garden. Sip the hottest cocktails (the delish St. Germain Sparkler), dine on local, sustainable fare (Eggplant Fritters, Asparagus & Mushroom Salad), and seafood (Colossal Prawns with Tomatillo Salsa). From the casual bar to the elegant dining room, Wilf’s is lovely—and lively! Wilf’s |
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You love Aura for the swank nightlife, lush atmosphere and delicious menu, but did you know about weekly specials? Happy hour is Tuesday–Saturday, 5–7 pm, Tuesday is happy hour all day, Wednesday brings half-price bottles of wine, and Thursday is buy one, get one free dinner entrees. Plus, summer cocktails are back (Peach Cosmos!), so stop in and enjoy! Aura Restaurant and Lounge |
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| 5 |
We heart Vita Café! Their focus on (delicious) Vegan and Vegetarian comfort food uses local & organic ingredients, so breakfast (til 4 pm!), lunch and dinner are always a treat. Hang out on the patio with a specialty cocktail or organic beer, play bocce ball, and bring the kids—they eat for a buck from 5–7 pm every day! Vita Café |
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| 6 |
Homer Simpson had it right—beer is delicious. Ladies, don't be shy about your love of hoppy beverages. Beer Northwest magazine explores the region's beery goodness with articles about food, lifestyle, pairing guides—even beer-related events! Put on your beer-drinking heels and get your subscription to Beer Northwest. It also makes a great gift for—you know—guys. www.beernw.com |
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| 7 | There’s A New (Old) Kid in Town Old Town Pizza. How we love you. Tasty pies, cozy/cool atmosphere, the legend that your original location might be haunted. Yes, we said “original”! There’s a new Old Town Pizza in Northeast—just as fab as the first. The open space boasts a full bar with plush chairs, a pizza-making station for the kids, and yes, the pizza is excellent. Old Town Pizza5201 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 503.200.5988 www.oldtownpizza.com |
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| 8 | Find the Hottest Cocktails Here Where else but 23Hoyt? Try their Hibiscus Cooler, the Lemon Verbena Drop or the Rhubarb Splash on a sunny day. Enjoy happy hour starting at 4 pm every Tuesday–Saturday (patio seating, hello!), and choose from their nightly dinner menu or a new three-course prix fixe option Tuesday–Thursday. Get two savory courses and one sweet for only $35! 23Hoyt |
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| 9 |
Portland has a rich, boozy history, starting with its founding fathers. Intrigued? Get the only coffee-table book of Portland’s bars, “Shots of Portland.” This awesome guide features history, tales, anecdotes and photographs from bars across the city. It’s not only a slice of PDX for your own enjoyment, but a great gift for transplants or out-of-town guests. Order online at www.blurb.com, click into the bookstore and search for "Portland bars" Email Distilled.publishing@gmail.com for more info. |
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| 10 |
One thing about clarklewis: it invites lounging. We love to linger when the bay doors are open, or experience a monthly wine dinner. Happy hour is fantastic: Tuesday–Saturday from 5–6:30 pm. Order appetizers or grilled items from the open hearth from their dinner menu. Top it off with a house cocktail & you’ll never want to leave. clarklewis1001 SE Water Ave., Suite 160 Portland, OR 97214 503.235.2294 www.clarklewispdx.com |
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| 11 |
We never say no to Asian cuisine—Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai—we love everything about them. And the family friendly Zao Noodle Bar, located in the heart of Bridgeport Village, gets them right. With market-fresh ingredients, extensive vegetarian options and a lively exhibition kitchen, dishes like Veggie Summer Rolls, Lemongrass Coconut Chicken, and Monk's Vegetarian Delight are tempting, affordable and delicious! Zao Noodle |
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| 12 | Saturday Night Dinner, Tuesday Night Prices Pasta is the specialty at Pastini, and the prices are amazing—starting at $5.75! But the cocktails are the icing—Summer Sangria joins Pastini’s creative Italian cocktails for summer, along with Prosecco alla Capri (chilled vodka and Limoncello topped with Prosecco) and Tuscan Orange Crush (orange vodka, Cointreau and San Pellegrino Aranciata over ice). Why aren’t you there yet??? Pastini Pastaria |
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| 13 |
Let’s dish about Gracie’s. It’s elegant and refined, yet offers totally relaxed dining, and the new chef is spectac! From breakfast to dinner, you will be treated to impeccable service, fabulous surroundings and amazing culinary delights. (Try the Shrimp and Fontina Gnocchi, Slow-Cooked Oregon Lamb, or small plates like Seared Diver Scallops and Fava Bean Risotto.) We are in love! Gracie’s |
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| 14 |
When you think Pan-Asian/Pacific Island cuisine in Portland, you think Saucebox. When you think delicious cocktails - again - Saucebox. But we are also loving Saucebox for the nightly DJs, the outdoor patio seating, the sushi menu and the happy hour. Between the fruit infusions, the elixirs, the liquor laboratory and the Coco-Colada, we are putty in their creative hands. Saucebox |
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| 15 |
Our daily lunch routine: bring sandwich from home, eat at desk. Bleh! Thank goodness for Tiny’s Coffee—these outposts of goodness are “brewing” with Stumptown coffee, paninis, sandwiches, soups and salads and they even sell local art! On a good day, we top it off with pastry… on a bad day, a Mimosa. Hey, we’re not perfect! But Tiny’s might be… Tiny’s Coffee |
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| 16 |
Living on the east side, going out for a lunch that doesn’t involve waiting to get our name called leaves us with limited options. But one of our favorite east-side destinations is now offering lunch. Lauro is serving it up Tuesday–Saturday, with the wood-fired pizzas, salads, and light entrees that we adore, along with a full bar. Plus: Parking! Lauro Kitchen |
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Wine of the Week: |
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What’s good Chardonnay weather? Apparently, cool and foggy are the way to go, and nobody does cool & foggy like Santa Barbara County. This aromatic Chardonnay has ripe aromas and pure flavors of nectarine, Mandarin oranges and fresh apples. If you’re really an oenophile, you’ll appreciate notes of vanilla and spice, which lead to a rich mid-palate structured with a lime and mineral finish. (Did we really just say that?!?) Just trust us—it’s delish. |
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